Teen with a community view

Anyone who thinks teenagers are hopelessly self-absorbed might want to consider the case of Samantha Furco and her big dream.

It isn't to get a lot of money to buy clothes and electronics -- or to hang out with friends at the mall. Furco wants to build a playground for children with disabilities.

The 17-year-old, who has volunteered with the Phoenix Special Olympics for the last three years, says she saw a child in a wheelchair on a playground who "wasn't doing anything."

From that day on, she has advocated for a playground for children with disabilities in Phoenix and worked on plans for it -- doing research about design, costs and fundraising.

She has contacted manufacturers of playground units and estimates the costs would be about $50,000.

What a wonderful project for a young person. It would be even nicer if government officials and community leaders would be inspired by Furco to figure out how to make more playgrounds accessible and fun for disabled children.